The case is, then, that I am married: yes, I have privately married a dear young belle; and if you knew her, and I hope you will, you would say everything in her praise.
But she is not quite the one that my father would have chose for me--you know the paternal idea as well as I--and I have kept it secret.

There will be a terrible noise, no doubt; but I think that with your help I may get over it.

If you would only do me this good turn--when I have told my father, I mean--say that you never could have married me, you know, or something of that sort--'pon my life it will help to smooth the way vastly.

I am so anxious to win him round to my point of view, and not to cause any estrangement.' What Phyllis replied she scarcely knew, or how she counselled him as to his unexpected situation.

Yet the relief that his announcement brought her was perceptible.